For about two years, I had the pleasure of working at Ewald Consulting in a variety of functions ranging from Sales to Government Relations to the “Guac-Off” Coordinator. In the various roles that I took on, I’ve benefitted from the countless opportunities that this company has offered. After reflecting on the growth and changes that have occurred during this time, I wanted to take a moment to share the biggest takeaways from my experience as a young professional at Ewald Consulting.

1. Set goals and exceed expectations

If you’re not challenging the status quo and adapting to current industry trends, you’ll become obsolete. Fast. The best way to increase your unique value proposition is to contribute to the continuous development of your position, department, and company. As a Sales Associate, I witnessed our young department crush our projected annual revenue by almost $1 million. That didn’t happen by accident. By setting short- and long-term goals per client, each individual on the team understood their specific role in achieving agreed-upon expectations. No matter your role or the task at hand, be creative. Set goals, and make your work meaningful and valuable; chances are you’ll end up with a sense of fulfillment, both personally and professionally.

2. Embrace rejection

In sales and government relations it isn’t uncommon that people you speak with are not going to immediately buy into what you’re saying. When people get rejected, a common reaction may be to run away, freeze up, carry a sense of embarrassment or avoid the situation again by whatever means necessary. As one may imagine, none of these reactions are particularly constructive as a Sales Associate or Lobbyist, as rejection and negotiation come with the territory. How do you maintain your composure when you might get rejected… three…four… five or more times in any given day? Embrace it.

First, force yourself to stay in the situation. Take a breath. Second, acknowledge the other’s context. Acknowledge misconceptions that may have contributed to their rejection, and the consequences of their inaction. Last, ask questions. Is price a barrier? Does your solution not meet the other’s needs? Is the suggestion just plain difficult to understand? By asking one to reflect on their challenges, goals, and plans, you can adapt your offering to a more personalized solution. If you’re willing to learn from them and adapt to their needs, you might just change their mind… or get a free burger refill.

3. Invest in your organization

Throwing money at a problem or looking for short-term fixes likely won’t achieve your desired long-term results. True successes come from significant investments of time, collaboration, resources and effort. As an employee, or member of an organization, most of us are guilty of asking the question, “How will this organization/job opportunity serve me?” This is not without good reason. However, the more important question should be: “How do my skills best serve this community?” The answer is simple: professional development is a two-way street. Successful communities and their members adapt and grow together. In order to get the most out of any job opportunity, membership or volunteer position, leverage your strengths and adapt to fit the role.

Additionally, this question shouldn’t be limited to quantitative outcomes. When reflecting on my experience at Ewald Consulting, some of my proudest contributions can’t be summarized by the amount of revenue captured for our clients, total percentage growth or hours spent. Instead, my mind sticks to the sense of accomplishment I felt when I helped my department embrace new software, when I resurrected the employee Guac-Off competition or contributed to the Funky and Fresh™ atmosphere of the Sales Department during inter-office Nerf wars.

Ultimately, I wouldn’t have been able to learn any of these lessons without the creative, effective and fun atmosphere of Ewald Consulting. I hope these takeaways shine some light on how to persevere and find success (even on your 100th day of rejection), but also highlight how to make the most of the unique opportunity you have by working with a company like Ewald Consulting. Good Luck!